Dubai: Omran, the Oman Government's tourism development and investment arm, recently signed a management agreement with the Millennium Hotels and Resorts to manage the four-star hotel under construction at the site of the Asian Beach Games — Muscat 2010.
The management agreement was signed by Dr Rajiha Bint Abdul Ameer Bin Ali, Minister of Tourism, and Chairperson of Omran, and Ali H. Lakhraim, President and CEO Millennium Hotels Middle East, in a ceremony attended by Ali Bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Sports Affairs and Wael Bin Ahmad Al Lawati, CEO of Omran.
Millennium Hotels is one of the world's largest hotel groups, with more than 120 hotels across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. This will be Millennium's first hotel in Oman, and will feature more than 250 rooms alongside a range of restaurants and sports and leisure facilities.
The hotel will be a landmark element on the one million square metre site in Musannah, one hour from Muscat, which also features Olympic-quality sporting facilities, an athlete's village, a range of restaurants and retail facilities.
The Chairperson of Omran and Minister of Tourism, said: "We are extremely pleased to enter into this management agreement with Millennium Hotels and Resorts, one of the world's most highly-regarded global hotel operators. The Second Asian Beach Games site is of strategic importance to Omran, and a key tourism development for Oman.
"Our pride in hosting the 2010 Muscat Asian Beach Games drives us to set the highest standards for developing the site and delivering a landmark hotel which fully meets those standards. The hotel is a fitting destination for all those visiting Oman for the Games from around the world."
‘Together we shine'
Lakhraim added: "The slogan for the second Asian Beach Games — Muscat 2010 is "together we shine" and I believe that this slogan lends itself to how we see our relationship with Omran, one of the most progressive and ambitious entities, we have had the opportunity to work within this region. Our mission is to complement Oman's vision by offering superior facilities and unparalleled Arabian hospitality and we hope to enhance Oman's recognition as a sport and eco-tourism destination on a global scale."
Work is on schedule at the second Asian Beach Games site, which is set to open in time for the Games in December 2010.
Omran's latest progress update said that the construction is overall 66 per cent complete and fully on track for the November delivery.
This will be the second Asian Beach Games following the inaugural event in Bali in 2008.
